Inside the Hill residence, Stefani was still trying hard not to cry. Emerald and her other siblings ages 3, 5, and 8 were trying to calm the shaking youth. Stefani, upon being comforted by little children, couldn't help but feel more emotional. She started bawling her eyes out.
"I don't care about him anymore!" Stefani cried out, "why... -hic- why did he have to treat me like that? I'm not useless! I'm not handicapped!" She cried even louder. What upset her the most wasn’t the fact that she couldn’t do the tasks given to her well but it was that Jonathan was treating her as if she couldn’t do anything right at all.
Emerald shook her head, her little hands caressing Stefani's back. "Calm down, Big Sister. Maybe big brother Jonathan is just trying to help you since you're younger than him..."
Stefani bawled her fists, her face contorted in anger. "I'm not a kid anymore!!" Then she started crying loudly again. "I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!!
The wind blew and a four-leaf clover fell under the slide in the playground.Sounds of the children laughing, giggling while playing echoed around.Stefani pulled her knees closer to her chest, head duck down, not letting anyone see her crying face."Stefani!"That voice again. It was trying to pull her out of the dark abyss.She sniffed before she wiped her cheek and spoke with a crying voice."You found me, Jonathan."She heard him sigh.When everyone else couldn't find her, he always did.He has always been an exception.Always."It's okay, Stefani. I'm here. Don't be sad. I'm here.""Stefani! Stefani!"Stefani opened her eyes, squinted as they were welcomed by the strong light above. Ruby was beside her, frowning in worry or anger, Stefani couldn't distinguish. She look
Twelve years ago"Stefani! Stefani!"Jonathan just arrived at the Hernandez Mansion after he and Jane went to their parents' grave and gave their mother her favorite flower when he noticed the butlers and maids all wore anxious expressions on their faces. He didn't waste time as he ran towards Mr. Hernandez."Quick!! Find my daughter!" Mr. Hernandez looked miserable and full of anxiety as he shouted at his bodyguards."What happened, Mr. Hernandez?" Jonathan asked, feeling anxious himself."Ah, Jonathan! Jonathan, please help me. Stefani, my Stefani is missing. What am I going to do? It's her mom's birthday today and we said we're going to visit her grave. When I went to check her bedroom, she's not there anymore... Jonathan-ah, my daughter... my daughter is..."Jonathan decided to remain calm and think. They wouldn't be able to find Stefani if all of them were going to panic. Just then, he remembered Stefani's story about her mothe
It was already dinner time when Stefani and Jonathan arrived at the Hill Residence. Jonathan decided not to intrude on Stefani's space and just watched her stare at the clover leaves a while ago. When Stefani stood up, without a trace of any single tear, Jonathan thought maybe Stefani was just holding it in. Then she heard her shout, all of a sudden."Mom! I don't know where you are but I'm here to say I'm doing fine! Don't worry about me and tell the clover fairy to stay healthy and bring more luck to the people in this place, okay? I miss you, ma!"Then, as if she was waking up from a long deep sleep, he watched as Stefani smiled. Under the bright sky, an angel who tasted the bitterness of this world, continued to move forward, spreading her wings as she kept her loneliness away. She had always been like that - always moving forward no matter what difficulties life may give her.That was when Jonathan realized - this Stefani was no longer the Stefani before. T
Flashback"Daddy..""Hmmm?""I just wish for one thing. I won't be wishing any other wishes anymore. Just grant me this wish, Daddy.""Hmm, what is it, my precious? Daddy will give anything - everything - for you. Tell Daddy what your wish is."Stefani had already closed her eyes and Mr. Hernandez knew then his only precious child had finally calmed down and was now falling asleep. Mr. Hernandez couldn't help but smile at his precious, extremely adorable daughter."Let... me... marry Jonathan in the future.."Mr. Hernandez's smile slowly disappeared. Curiosity filled him but then suddenly felt this oddly good feeling inside him.Stefani loves Jonathan? How come he didn't see that earlier? He wouldn't send Jonathan abroad if he knew this. Stefani's happiness is Mr. Hernandez's happiness too.Mr. Hernandez thought about it then smiled. He
With every beat of her heart, Stefani became more confused. The music from the outside became melodic and low, slowly bringing back memories from the past Stefani once kept in a box and never opened it since, afraid of the heartache she knew she would not be able to take.As the music continued to make loud beats outside, Stefani's heart made louder music and all the fears she had inside came back. Though just a simple glance over the person beside her, all her fears seemed to leave.That night, Stefani continued to listen to her own beats, the kinds of which that were in sync to the heart of the man lying beside her saying he could not be touched for he was already engaged.The kind of emotion Stefani forgot sheーtheyーalready had from a long time ago.The kind of emotion both knew they, Jonathan and Stefani, treasured once upon a time.The next morning."Will you really be fine? What if I ask my husband to go with you and Jonathan?" Mr
For the past week since Jonathan and Stefani finally returned home, Stefani's friends had stuck to her side like rice cakes, almost never leaving her alone even a minute. To this point, Stefani was starting to feel irritated by their clinginess. Adding to that, she hasn't seen Jonathan at all after they reached the city. Where the hell did that monkey go? For some reason, Stefani felt uneasy not seeing Jonathan around."Hey, Stef! I'm saying something!!" Bridget shouted, pouting at Stefani while bouncing at Stefani's bed. Dianne, Christina, and Ivy were also in her bedroom, doing whatever they wanted in Stefani's belongings.At this time, Stefani was holding her phone, pacing back and forth to her door, contemplating whether to call Jonathan or not. What if he was in the middle of having a rest? Or was he at work? Wait, that fast?! But considering the type of man Jonathan Gonzalez was, that wouldn't be impossible either! Stefani was biting her nails, completely uncomfo
It had been a week since Jonathan and Stefani returned safely to the city. The Chief Operations Officer was staring at the wide overlooking sight of the city through his office. The sun was up yet he couldn't feel any warmth in his body.Somehow, Jonathan knew. Somehow, Jonathan had expected it already. Because deep inside, Jonathan knew he failed and he had to accept the consequences.Jonathan breathed in and out, trying to calm himself as he slowly recalled his conversation with Mr. Hernandez a few days after they had returned."Jonathan, I know how much you've worked so hard for this company for the past years," Mr. Hernandez began. "And I know you've also done everything you could to... to tame my daughter."Jonathan was silent as he just listened to his second father figure.Mr. Hernandez looked down as he uttered, "I didn't expect things to go this far, Jonathan-ah. Stefani... To think Stefani went as far as to run away from home because of t
FlashbackIt was a lonely cold day and little Stefani was warmed up inside her bedroom. There were no hints of possible sunlight outside, a sad day for kids, but Stefani has a smile on her face as a warm pair of arms were wrapped around her with a book on her lap."No one had the slightest suspicion of what beautiful things she had seen; no one even dreamed of the splendor in which, with her grandmother she had entered on the joys of a new year," Jonathan said, voice low and soft. "The end."Stefani's eyelashes softly moved as she turned to look up at Jonathan, "It's the end already? Read it again, Jonathan. Pwease."
Jonathan, who was in his office, suddenly sneezed."Sir?" A subordinate gave a concerned look, the papers he was just handing to Jonathan remained mid-air. He immediately called for Jonathan's secretary but was stopped by the CEO himself."I'm okay," Jonathan said, expressionless as he received the papers and ordered for the man to leave.Why did it feel like someone was badmouthing him just now?Shaking his head, Jonathan went over the papers on his desk, checking and signing what needed to be signed. It had only been a year since Mr. Hernandez officially retired, deciding he would travel the world and be happy as Stefani wished him to be while handing the CEO position to his son-in-law.Jonathan hims
"We graduated but why does it feel like I'm more restrained now? Is college really hellish like this?" Bridget complained as she aggressively took big sips from her milk tea then began typing back on her laptop.Ivy rolled her eyes and commented, "It's because you took a hard major. Look at Dianne, Christina, and me. We enjoy our activities the most these days. It's like we're still in high school~""Right, we're having a theater play in a few months. Don't forget to free your schedules on that date," Christina said, then began eating the strawberry cake on her plate."What? That's unfair!" Bridget pouted. While these girls were busy arranging some stage props, here she was typing some five-page essay for tomorrow. Such injustice!After graduation, the circle of friends
With her aching to the point of not feeling anything especially on her lower body, Stefani knew she couldn't do the water park activities as scheduled on the guide.No matter how much she thought of it, Stefani felt Jonathan was extra vigorous last night. She couldn't help but think of the reason for such actions. Was he provoked or teased too much? No, it wasn't this. Was it the food then? Or was it the ambiance's fault?Stefani, this simple-minded person, would never know that it was only due to Jonathan's repressed lust from the past acting up at the present that made such things happen.Jonathan, the past pent-up guy, stared at his adorable wife’s facial expressions and was greatly amused. He immediately admitted his faults and patiently tried to coax her, "All right, I'm sorry. Let's do the it
After marriageStefani was panting hard, her face flushed in deep red as Jonathan kissed her again and again. There was something in the way Jonathan gazed at her, almost sickeningly full of love and desire, as if everything that's in front of him was all he ever needed."One more time," Jonathan whispered to Stefani huskily, his hot breath brushing against Stefani's sensitive skin as he gave light kisses on Stefani's face down to her neck and shoulders.The sound of water splashing and flowing continuously outside penetrated the walls of the hotel room, making Stefani's head more relaxed and mushy as she stared at Jonathan, face hot and red, she nodded, "Mm."Jonathan's eyes glinted in ecstasy, he smiled as he leaned down. Their lips connected in a
Jonathan just finished his bath when he stepped into the kitchen. The sun had already risen, sunlight peeking through the neat white blinds of the living room, the view outside was clear and pleasing to look at. Brewing himself a cup of hot coffee, Jonathan began to read the news from his tablet.After a few minutes, he glanced at the time and stood up, heading to the guest room. Inside, a few random objects were placed everywhere. Quickly, Jonathan picked up the things scattered on the floor and arranged them all neatly and orderly. He then glanced at the bed. Stefani was still sleeping, completely unbothered by Jonathan's arrival and movements.Jonathan took his time to open the blinds by the window and went over Stefani. He gently touched Stefani's arm, "Stefani, wake up."Stefani's only response was
"What? Say it clearly," Christina said."I-It was a-a-amazing," Stefani said while flushing hard.The girls giggled at that and one of them had a follow-up question quickly! "How so? Wouldn't it be painful at first?"Stefani could feel her face becoming redder and redder as she tried to recall her "first night" with Jonathan. She herself thought it would be painful and unbearable, but then she discovered if properly prepared and done well, there would be less pain and more pleasure. Contrary to the thirst and desire that flashed through his eyes, Jonathan had been gentle from the start until they finished. He prepared Stefani well that Stefani didn't feel any pain at all.Or maybe her husband was just a real expert on that kind of act.
"Don't move too much," Jonathan ordered to his wife as Stefani gave him her famous death glare. This time, though, the glare became a weak stare. Jonathan placed his hand on Stefani's forehead and sure it was, the younger's fever had risen by another degree celsius.The phone on the bedside table vibrated and Jonathan sighed as he stood up to get the device.While glancing at his sick wife on the bed, the New HE Group CEO answered the phone. "Yes. I'll send it in a few. What? Okay. Tell me the details."Stefani's face was all red from the fever and opened her lips, "Just go..."Jonathan frowned, contemplating what to do. "I can't leave you here in a state like this."Even in her fever, Stefani still managed to get mad, "It's
Ari's heart pounded loudly as her back felt the cold brick wall behind her. The four strange bitchy looking girls in high school uniform looked at her in disgust. One girl chewed her gum and mannerlessly spit it out to her right.Are they a gang or what? Ari began to panic."Look here, Miss. That Gonzalez guy is engaged." Ari gasped in shock. Is Jonathan Gonzalez really engaged? With whom?Another girl stepped in and looked at Ari in pity."Pitiful. I bet you've tried seducing Gonzalez a lot of times.. and failed," they all laughed in mockery and Ari's chest twisted in pain."Y-You're wrong! My feelings for him are pure! I-I.. I've always liked Sir Jonathan. Even if he always looks serious but he's approachable and nice," Ari
Months before the wedding.Stefani barged inside Jonathan's room with a frown."Did you have another nightmare?" Jonathan looked at her in concern.Stefani shook her head, still with a frown. "I-I... I don't think I can sleep tonight."Jonathan nodded his head. He already knew after the movie, Stefani would be too scared to sleep on her own."That's why I told you you can sleep here with me," Jonathan said nonchalantly, eyes still in his book. When he heard nothing from the younger, he placed his book down then motioned the younger to come to space next to him.Stefani blushed hard and started yelling. "L-Like I would do that!! You pervert!"